If you're heading to Armenia, you've probably heard all about the famous cliffside monasteries. But if you want to skip the massive tourist crowds and experience something cooler, you should check out the village of Oshakan. It is a super easy 35-minute drive from Yerevan.
Hidden down in a rocky canyon is a spot most people completely miss: The Oshakan Medieval Bridge. Built all the way back in 1706, this isn't just a boring pile of old rocks. It’s a five-arch bridge made from Armenia’s famous volcanic tufa stone. The builders mixed reddish and dark stones together, so it fits perfectly into the natural canyon. While other ancient bridges around the world have fallen apart, this one survived 300 years of floods and earthquakes—and locals still walk across it today.
The multi-colored stone arches against the rushing river look amazing and are perfect for photos. There are no ticket booths, no crowded souvenir stalls, and no fences. It’s just a great place to hang out by the water and take in the history.
You can easily turn this into a fun day-trip. First, stop by the Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church in the middle of the village. Next, head down to the canyon to chill by the Oshakan Bridge. To finish the afternoon, drive 15 minutes north to see the Armenian Alphabet Monument, which has giant stone letters you can pose with.
Quick Tip: Don't go at night! There are no lights in the canyon, so you definitely want to get there during the afternoon to see everything glowing in the sun.
If you want to make the trip completely stress-free, you can find local day tours from Yerevan on Viator that will take you straight to the bridge and all the nearby historic spots.
